Sun's disk turns spotless for first time since February 2026

The Sun's Earth-facing disk has appeared free of sunspots for the first time since February 2026, while no moderate or strong solar flares were recorded for four days.

• The Sun became free of numbered sunspot groups on September 18 and its Earth-facing disk appeared completely spotless on September 19, the first such case since February 24, 2026.
• Data from the Space Weather Prediction Center showed solar activity at very low levels over the 24 hours ending Saturday.
• The Russian Academy of Sciences' Space Research Institute announced on September 17 that no C-class or stronger flares had occurred for four days, the longest pause since December 2021.
• The Jeddah Astronomical Society said one spotless day does not confirm the start of the solar minimum, as new sunspot regions could appear at any time.